Emmerdale's Laurel 'shocked' at Ashley's violence

Emmerdale's Laurel Thomas will be "shocked to the core" when she finally discovers her husband Ashley has been hitting his dad Sandy

Emmerdale's Laurel Thomas will be "shocked to the core" when she discovers her husband Ashley has been hitting his dad.

The factory worker - who is played by Charlotte Bellamy - will be stunned to witness the vicious vicar taking his frustrations out on his father Sandy Thomas (Freddie Jones), and it "chills her to the bone" that she initially didn't realise anything was wrong.

Laurel's suspicions first arise when her stepdaughter Gabby Thomas (Annelise Manojlovic) tells her she's seen Ashley (John Middleton) hitting Sandy, but she didn't believe no-nonsense cleaner Rachel Breckle (Gemma Oaten) when she told her what was happening.

Charlotte said: "None of this makes sense to Laurel. Rachel has been trying to tell her what's going on, but Laurel doesn't believe it. Then she sees Ashley hitting Sandy with her own eyes. She's shocked to the core that he's capable of such a thing.

"Up until that point, Laurel doesn't have any suspicions at all. It's only when Gabby says, 'Daddy pushed Grandpa over, and it was an accident' that she starts to wonder what's going on.

"Laurel starts to piece things together, and realises that it's been going on beneath her nose all along. It chills her to the bone that she didn't see it earlier. There's no excuse for hitting an old man."

Following her "distressing" discovery, Laurel plans to ask Ashley for a divorce and considers reporting him to the police because she is so disgusted at what he's done.

Charlotte added to Inside Soap magazine: "Sandy's so frail, and Laurel finds the whole thing really distressing. She doesn't know if she can ever forgive Ashley for this.

"Laurel tells Ashley she could report him to the police and he'd go to prison for what he's done. That is the end as far as she's concerned - Laurel's going to ask Ashley for a divorce."